How we work

As a humanitarian and development organization working within Africa, the problems we encounter are not unique. The way we work is.

Adeso takes a boldly different approach to development in Africa. Different, because we believe that it is African communities who must lead the development of Africa, not external agencies. This is why we prefer to use cash transfers above many other forms of aid. And why we don’t decide on how best to develop communities from the confines of our Nairobi or Washington offices, but from working and living in the field with local communities.

Regardless of where we work, our approach is the same: we help vulnerable communities through partnerships and shared decision-making. Our field teams hold regular community meetings, and find a way for every group to have a voice. This sometimes means creating venues for women, and often calls for perseverance to capture the concerns and thoughts of local minorities. It’s not the easiest way, but in our experience, it’s the best.